Audio reproducer



R. H. HOLMES AUDIO REPRODUCER Filed Dec. 8, 1930 April 9, 1935.

2 Sheets-Sheet l L INYENTOR 1 .R. H. HOLMES ATTORNEY April 9, 1935. R. H. HOLMES 1,997,408

AUDIO REPRODUCER Filed Dec. 8, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 K.H. H0 MES BY M nan (/ICU/f INVENTOR ATTORNEY I 2.9 \IL I l I I sary to provide satisfactory reception of pro Patented Apr. 9, 1935 I 1,997,408 AUDIO nrrnonuourt Bay Hall Holmes, 0aklyn,.N. J., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Dela- Application llecemb'erd, 1930,,Serial No. 500,683 Qso1s1mss [(oi.u9--'1o1 My present invention relates to reproducers,

and more particularly, to novel methods'of con:

structing and mounting audio reproducers.

There are many instances ,where it is necesgrams of medium, or low, volume level for, in dividuals, or small groups of individuals, without disturbing others in the immediate vicinity of the reproducer. To accomplish such individual reception, headphones have been resorted to in the past. However, there are various objections to the utilization of such a type of reproducer. One of the most important objections resides in the fact that the pressure of the phones against the ears often detracts fromfthe maxi mumenjoyment of reception.

- Now, it is oneof the mainobjects of this invention to provide; an electrical audio reproducer unit, and a mounting therefor, which will be useful in any case where it is necessary to limit the extent of sound radiation to restricted areas, such a unit being adapted for connection to the output circuit of a program distribution chan-' nel, and being constructed and arranged for convenient attachment to] a supporting medium in a position substantially adjacent to the normal position ofa listeners "ear.

Another important object of, the invention is to provide an electrical reproducing unit arrangement, adapted to be housed in a casing, and supported in such a manner that it may be adjusted an audio reproducer unit comprising a casing adapted to house an electrical reproducer of the magnetic, electrodynamic or electrostatic type,

and means for supporting the casing in such a manner that it will not interfere withv the operation of the unit in different positions, the easing being provided on its sound emitting side with means for permitting comfortable use of the'unit when adjacent the listener's head, proper acoustical treatment being appliedto the casing to prevent undue resonance, rattles and the like,

the supporting means a 7 means for attaching; aaitgta any, article of furniture, or other supporting medium,and additional means being provided on the casing where- ,shown in Fig. 4,

by" the casing may be arranged at any desired angle relative to the supportingmeans thereby providing for the additional comfort and relaxation of the listener. e i

, Still another-object of the invention is to providej'a reversible audio reproducer housing containing any desired type of electrical reproducing unit, so constructed that the sound emitting sidemay be brought into a position substantially adjacent to either ear of the listenerwhen upright or reclining, means whereby the reproducer may, be connected into a program distributing channel when actuated by thepressure of the listeners head, and additional means whereby a sanitary, replaceable cover of any material adaptable to such use may be placed over the sound emitting face and positively retained in position. e e

Still other objects of the invention are to improve generally the' simplicity and efiiciency'o'f the audio reproducer units, and to particularly provide a reproducer unit and mounting therefor which is not only durable and reliable in operation, but adapted for' various positions of the listener, and economically manufactured and installed. i j v l The novel featureswhich' I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth in particularity in the appended claims, the invention itself, however, as to both its organization and method of operation will best be understood by reference to the following'description taken in connection with the drawings in which I have indicated diagrammatically several arrangements whereby my invention may be carried into effect.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the invention, a Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the device,

Fig. 3 shows a pair of devices of the present invention utilized in a railroad car,

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a modified form of I the invention,

Fig. 5 is an isometric vi w or themodiflcation Fig. 6 is a detail,

in section, of another modifica- Fig. '1 is another detail, in section, of still another modification,

Fig, 8 shows a detail,

v section, of a modified type of, mounting means.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in

whichlike characters of reference, indicate the same parts in thediflerent views, in Fig. 1 there is shown a reproducer casing I, of metal or other suitable material, housing an electrical reproduc-.

ing unit 2 of any type. For example, the unit may be of the electromagnetic, electrodynamic, or electrostatic type, these being well known in the prior art. Again, the'diaphragm 2' to be actuated by the unit 2 may be of the cone or disc type, either in combination with a horn, or being of the direct radiating type.

The periphery of diaphragm 2' abuts a sound emitting face 3, the latter also functioning as the cover plate of the casing I, being removably secured tothe walls 4 by any means well known to those skilled in the prior art. The face plate 3 is provided with a circular opening 5, the latter having a diameter less than that of the periphery of the diaphragm 2. Thus, the diaphragm periphery overlaps the periphery of opening 5, and the latter is, additionally, covered by a simple, or decorative, grille 8. The grille may be a fabric mesh, or a mesh of other suitable material, and is amxed to the periphery of opening 5, .in any desired manner as by cementing.

The plate 3 is, further, provided with four pins 1, each of the pins being disposed adjacent a corner of the face plate. The purpose of these pins is to receive a sanitary, replaceable cover 3 of any material adaptable to such use, such as paper, cloth and the like. The cover is provided with four openings 1', each of the latter .being adapted to be snapped upon a pin 1, the

snap construction being well known to those skilled in the prior art. Of course, a button snap device may replace the pin and aperture snap arrangement, if desired.

The cover 8 is provided with an opening 9 of lesser diameter than that of the plate opening 5,

whereby the sound issuing through the grille i may reach the listeners car when the latter is positioned adjacent the opening 9. If desired, instead of an opening 9, the area bounded within the periphery of the latter maybe solid, but provided with many perforations. This permits sound to issue through the sanitary cover, and yet insures prevention of contact between the ear and the grille 6.

The casing is arranged for mounting upon a desired supporting medium, the mounting arrangement comprising an elongated supporting member Ill of metal, or. other suitable material, having a curved upper portion II, the elongated portion being provided with a long slot l2. One' of the walls I is provided with a pair of spaced nuts [3, each being rigidly afllxed to the wall, as by \welding, soldering or other well known means. This wall 4' isprovided with a pair of apertures l3, each registering with the bores of its associated nut l3. The diameter of each bore and associated aperture I3 is approximately' equal to the width of slot l2, the apertures l3 being in alignment with the length of the slot.

In order to provide adjustment of the casing l relative to the supporting member, threaded bolts I, each provided with a knurled head l5, are disposed in threaded relation with the threaded bores of nuts l3. The heads l5 overlap the edges tion to restricted areas. In Fig. 3, there is shown, 1 a portion of railroad coach having'installed therein a program distribution system of any well known type, the latter being omitted to preserve simplicity of description. Individual controls of such a system may include the usual radio receiver hooded escutcheon 15 carrying a pilot light H, a dial opening l8, and program selector knob l9.

Each reproducer is connected to the system by plugging'a cable 2|, the latter being connected at one end to the terminals of the unit 2, into a socket 20. It will be understood that manipulation of the knob l9 results in tuning to a desired station, the dial indicating through the opening N3 the setting of the condensers, if a radio frequency distribution system is employed. On the other hand, if an audio frequency distribution system is employed, manipulation of the knob I9 results in switching in one of a plurality of program channels to a lead 2|, the dial here indicating the channel.

The manner of mounting a reproducer on a coach seat 22 is clearly shown in Fig. 3. The curved portion H is placed in contact with the upper edge 24 of the back 23 of a seat, the portion H! of the supporting member abutting the head rest 25 of the seat. It will, thus, be seen that the sound emitting face of the reproducer is parallel to the profile of a person. It will, also, be observed that the supporting member is so designed that it may be conveniently attached to any other article of furniture, or other supporting medium, in a position substantially adjacent to the normal position of the listeners ear.

The unit may be employed, additionally, in hospitals and similar institutions where persons are restricted in movement, comfort and sound production; in berth sections and drawing rooms of railroad cars and ships; and in cabins of air transportation vehicles, automobiles and motor buses where exterior noise makes it desirable to place the ear in close contact to the reproducer. Again, the supporting member with obvious modification may be designed so that the casing can be utilized in positions other than that shown in Fig. 3, as, for example, on a pillow, or a hospital bedstead. It will, thus, be seen that the device readily lends itself to a great many desirable uses.

The sound emitting side 3 of the casing is preferably so constructed as to form an angle with the supporting member providing for the additional comfort and relaxation of the listener. If

a person is. seated nextto the window, and de-.

sires to look out of the window, by providing the sound emitting face at some angle to the longitudinal length of the car, he may do so. In other words, the sound emitting face should be sloped towards the window, permitting the listener to keep his ear adjacent to the reproducer, and at the same time direct his vision out of the window in a normal manner. This provision would also assist where the device was used in a reclining position, permitting the user to observe individuals or objects to the side of the bed, rather than forcing the individual to look straight at the ceiling.

While in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the casing and support have been shown as designed. so that the casing may be only linearly adjusted to the proper position relative to any listeners ear, in Figs. 4 and 5, there is shown a modification wherein the casing may be adjusted laterally, as well as linearly. This additional adjustment is secured by providing an arcuate slot 25 in the wall 4 of the easing, the upper nut I3 not being afiixed to the wall 4' in such a case, while the lower nut I3 is affixed as described in connection with Fig. 1 Thus, by

unscrewing heads I5, the casing may be slid along slot l 2, to any desired point, and then by tightening lower boltl4 and keeping upper bolt I4 loose,

the casing may be tilted forward or backward along slot 25, the head l5'ancl bolt I4 then being tightened tomaintain the casing in adjusted position. i i i 1 Here, again, the casingmay be constructed to provide any faceangle, or conformation for the sound emitting side thatmay befound desirable for comfortable use, and specifically so as to form an angle with the supporting member. thereby providing for the additional relaxation of the listener. Should it be desired toprovide reception in either ear, the casing may be provided, in the wall 4" opposite wall 4, with an arcuate slot 25 and lower attached nut. l3", each inexact'alignment with slot 25 and lower nut I 3 respectively.

It should be obvious that, in Fig. 3,,by using this reversible construction onthe casing, the latter can be attached to seatback 23 with the sound emitting face towards the car window 23'.

The face plate 3, in Figs. 4 and 5, additionally is provided with a depression 26, the latter being shaped to conform with the general configuration of a head; An opening 21, about the size .of an average ear, is provided above the median line of the depression, the opening being covered by a grille 28. In Fig. 4 is shown the manner of use of the modified typeof face plate, it being observed that the sound emitting face 3 has been so constructed as to readily conform to a listener's head 29, the ear 29 of the latter registering with the ear opening 21 in the depression 26. Of course, the corner pins 1 may be provided to receive a sanitary cover, as in Fig. 2, the cover in this case, having a shape to conform with that of the plate 3, and, also, having an opening to register with grille 28.

To increase the comfort of the listener still further, there is shown in Fig. 6, a modification of the faceplate a of Figs. 4 and 5, wherein the de-,

pression 26 is covered with a layer of padding 3!). The latter is provided with an opening 3], registering with grille 28. The padding may be secured to the outer rim ofthe depression 26 in any desired manner,- as by cementing or the like. A

complishing this novel result. The switch ar--.

rangement, applied to the modification of Fig.

6, comprises a flexible metallic blade 40 connected.

at its fixed end 4| to a lead 42. The opposite end of blade 40. is movable, and is adapted to be pushed by a small push rod 43,.of insulation ma-- terial, having a headed end 44 embedded in padding 30.

The rod 43 is slidably disposed in bore 45 provided in depression 26. It is to be noted that when no pressure is exerted against the padding v3", then the rod 43 and blade 40 areout 'of contact. When a listeners face is rested against the padding, the head 44 being disposed at a point where the jaw of a listener would rest, then the head 44 is pushed inwards. This results in fiexure of blade 40, with resulting contact of the latter and the lead 42'. The reproducer circuit is thereandreproducer circuit'is to be arranged in such a manner, that although the lead 2| is plugged into socket 20, the reproducer is inoperative until the. rod 43 is depressed.

It will beseen that by disposing the terminal of lead 42 close to the lower end of blade 40, considerable freedom of movement can be permitted to blade 40. This means that when the. reproducer is used on a vehicle subject to jarring, then slight displacementsof the listener's head will not disconnect the reproducer.

In Fig. 8, is shown a modifiedform of means for mounting the casingon the supportingmem her. The detail view in Fig. 8 shows the wall 4 affixed to support In by a bolt'l4' having a fiat- .tened end 50. A spring disposed between end 50 and a washer, 52,. is adapted to maintain the knurled head IS in firm engagementwith. the

support l0. Obviously by loosening the member l5, the casing can bezadjusted along slot l2.

This construction hasthe advantage of taking a displacement of the casingas a whole, and prevent relative displacement between the head and the padding It is to be understood thatproper acoustical treatment is to be applied to the casing ,I to prevent undue resonance,- rattles and. the like. Again, a control may be provided, if desired, on the casing or at the escutcheon. l6, so that the intensity of regulation may be adjusted. Of course, vertical resilience may be provided as well as lateral. Also, both types can be employed simultaneously. .Vertical resiliency may be secured by mounting the casing on springs, as in Fig. 8, the springs being disposed, however, between the casing base and a horizontal bar adjustably aflixed to the vertical support.

Further, while I have indicated and described one arrangement for carrying my invention into effect, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that my invention is by no means limited to the particular organizations shown and described.

but that many modifications in these arrange ments maybe made without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I'claim is:

1. In combination, a support, a casing provided with a sound emitting face, an electrical reproducin'g unit mounted within said casing, said face being formed of rigid material and shaped to conform to the head of a listener, and being angularly disposed relative to the support, a compressiblelayer of padding material disposed over said shaped face whereby to increase the comfort of the listeneriand' additional means independent of said support fonresiliently mounting the casing onsaid support\ 2. An audio reproduces comprising a housing, an: electrical reproducingmnit disposed in the latter, a supporting memberhsdjustably afllxed to said housing, and means including an arcuate slot formed in said housing wherebyfsaid .housing may be adjusted either linearly or laterally relative to said supporting member said casing:

being provided with a rigid sound emitting face of an area substantially equal to the entire surface of one side of a listeners head disposed at an angle to said member.

3. In combination, an audio reproducer comprising a casing, a cone loudspeaker housed pressible layer opening.

casing provided with a sound emitting face, an

electrical reproducing unit mounted within said casing, said face being shaped to conform to the head of a listener and being provided with an opening of substantially the size of the listeners ear, a compressible layer disposed over said shaped face. and being provided with an opening in registration with said face opening, and a sanitary layer, shaped to conform with the shape of saidfac'e'; disposed over said compressible layer, said sanitary layer being provided with an opening in registration with said face opening and com- 5. In combination, in an audio reproducer', a casing provided with a sound emitting face, an electrical reproducing unit "mounted within said casing, said face being shaped to conform to the head of a listener and being provided with an opening of substantially the'size of the listeners ear, a compressible layer disposed over said in registration with said face opening, and a sani tary layer, shaped to conform with the shape of said face, disposed over said compressible layer, said sanitary layer being provided with an opening in registration with said face opening and compressible layer opening and additional means embedded in said compressib1e layer and associated with said unit whereby the reproducing unit is rendered operative when the said head is positioned against the said face.

6. An adapted for use in connection with an audio fre: quency distribution system, comprising a casing provided with a sound emitting face of an area substantially equal to the entire surface of one side of 9. listeners head, an electrical reproducing unit mounted within the casing adapted to be connected to said system, a supporting member for said casing provided with a portion adapted to be attached to the back of a listener's seat, said face being provided with an opening in registration with the unit, said openin'g being substantially the size of said listeners ear, and additional means associated with the member and casing including oppositely disposed arcuate slots in said casing whereby the casing may be arranged in a desired comfortable position with respect to either side of the listeners head when individual reproducer arrangement,

the listener is seated in said seat and resting said head side against said face.

RAY HALL HOLMES. 

